Bullying is offensive, intimidating, malicious or insulting behaviour involving the misuse of power that can make a person feel vulnerable, upset, humiliated, undermined or threatened. Power does not always mean being in a position of authority, but can include both personal strength and the power to coerce through fear or intimidation.
Bullying can take the form of physical, verbal and non-verbal conduct. Bullying may include, by way of example:
(a) physical or psychological threats;
(b) overbearing and intimidating levels of supervision;
(c) inappropriate derogatory remarks about someone’s performance;
Legitimate, reasonable and constructive criticism of a worker’s performance or behaviour, or reasonable instructions given to workers in the course of their employment, will not amount to bullying on their own.
If you feel you are being bullied we can advise you on how best to pursue a complaint and what your options are.
